Nov. 4, 2011 issue

Page 1

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T D A I LY AT D U K E U N I V E R S I T Y

The Chronicle

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTH YEAR, ISSUE 50

WWW.DUKECHRONICLE.COM

DURHAM ELECTIONS

Early decision applications see 23 pct. increase

New kid on the block

Mayoral race down to two candidates

from Staff Reports

by Jack Mercola

THE CHRONICLE

THE CHRONICLE

Duke attracted 2,716 early decision applications from high school seniors this year—509 more applications than last year’s 2,207. The 23 percent increase is the largest single-year increase in early decision applications in the University’s history. This significant increase follows a 14 percent single-year increase in 2010. Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Christoph Guttentag said in a news release Nov. 3 that early decision applicants will likely not make up more than 40 percent of the Class of 2016. Early decision applicants compose 38 percent of the Class of 2015. “Since early decision represents a binding commitment to Duke for those admitted in December, we do like to be responsive to the interest in Duke as a clear first choice,” Guttentag said in the release. “Part of the special spirit of Duke is the enthusiasm that students have for it, and students admitted under our early decision plan are among the most enthusiastic. At the same time, we understand that many students aren’t ready to make that commitment so early in their senior year, and we like to reserve the majority of spots at Duke for those students.” The University expects a large number

A longtime incumbent is competing against a local pastor to become mayor of the Bull City. Durham Mayor Bill Bell, a Democrat who was first elected in 2001, is running against Rev. Sylvester Williams, Democrat and pastor of the Assembly at Durham Christian Center. Bell won 81 percent of the vote in the mayoral primary Bill Bell that took place earlier this month, and Williams received 8 percent, the most of any other challenger. Key issues in the election are Durham’s $19.7 million savings account, the city’s bond rating and Durham’s current crime climate. The mayoral candidates have Sylvester Williams expressed differing stances on these issues, and Durham residents will decide their support at general elections Nov. 8. Bell, a member of Durham County’s Board of Commissioners for 26 years, said he plans on mostly continuing his current

JISOO YOON/THE CHRONICLE

Freshman Elizabeth Williams impressed in her first game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, scoring 21 points to go along with nine rebounds as Duke beat Pfeiffer 112-27. SEE STORY PAGE 6.

SEE MAYOR ON PAGE 4

SEE EARLY DECISION ON PAGE 4

Lawyer Howard calls for overhaul of legal system by Matt Budofsky THE CHRONICLE

A total overhaul of the United States legal system is necessary to reduce the burden of regulation, an activist said. Philip Howard, acclaimed lawyer and author, spoke to an audience of students and faculty Thursday evening as part of the Sanford School of Public Policy’s Gridlock series. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion that included Dean of the Chapel Sam Wells; Lawrence Baxter, professor of the practice of law; and Joel Fleishman, professor of law and public policy sciences. Howard, founder of Common Good, a nonprofit group that seeks to reform the legal system, highlighted specific areas where dysfunctions in the process of law originate. He noted that precise rules can

have an overbearing effect on people’s lives, and people need the freedom to use their own judgement. “Laws are too specific,” Howard said. “Everybody walks around with their noses in the rule book, and then they trip over the buzz saw.” Howard added that he believes the excessive amount and specificity of laws detract from people’s ability to perform their jobs well. People do not take what they believe to be the right course of action because they are afraid of lawsuits. As an example of stifling regulation, he cited doctors who are afraid to use their medical judgment and instead perform superfluous tests because they are afraid of malpractice suits. SEE HOWARD ON PAGE 5

KEVIN SHAMIEH/THE CHRONICLE

Lawyer Philip Howard speaks Thursday evening at the Sanford School of Public Policy. Howard argues that the legal system should be altered to rely on individuals’ “own judgment.”

ONTHERECORD

Duke takes on Wake Forest in ACC semifinals, Page 6

“If we don’t improve health care delivery and slow the increase of cost, where does this [spending] end?” —Alice Rivlin on health care. See story page 3

E. coli breaks out at N.C. State Fair, Page 3


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